Polka Dot Cake... Nailed it.

Once upon a time on Pinterest, there was a polka dot cake.  There were numerous tutorials and many different versions.  But it sparked my interest.  Every time I came across a version of this cake, I could not help but think how adorable it would make for a gender reveal party or a baby shower where the sex of the baby is unknown.  After consulting some friends and rereading a handful of blogs, I realized no one really had a handle on this polka dot cake, so I might as well give it a go myself.

It all started out simple enough, two boxes of cake batter, two bowls, and a little red 40.  (Because what is an adorable cake without some potentially toxic -depending on what blogs you read- food dye.)

The blue dye, as it turned out, was more of a dark turquoise, which was not what I was going for.  I was able to lighten it, but I was hoping for a much more distinct pink and blue.

One tip that I did decide would be beneficial was using cake pop pans to make the polka dots.  Since I just needed a way to partially cook, what would be the polka dots, because they would be recooked in the final cake, I was not worried about rolling the cake pops by hand to incorporate frosting.

I was able to find cake pop pans at target on clearance, but in all honesty, I would have bought them regardless of price, because by this point in my mission I was not turning back.  

It was a happy coincidence that the cake pop pans were red and blue.

I used an ice cream scoop to portion out my pink and blue dots and then followed the baking instructions that came with the cake pop pans.  I under-cooked them by about 7 minutes.  I was so excited that I forgot to grease one half of the tins, but they came out alright anyway.  I would say that they all needed more batter, I was nervous about overfilling them, but some came out with one side that was more cone shaped. (I tried to reshape a few, and discarded the ones that were clearly not round balls.)  I put the polka dots in the freezer over night so that they would not over bake when baking them in the second cake.

Even with having to get rid of a few, I still had more than enough to create my desired effect.  (If you look closely, you may notice that one half of the polka dot is larger than the other.  It worked out just fine, but this was the result of not enough batter.)

Next time I would use 3 boxes of cake mix to have more cake to cover the polka dots.  It was a close call to get them all covered.  I did not level out the pans for risk of unveiling some of the polka dots.

All in all, everything was a success as far as baking went.  I could even see a little of the color peeking out.

This was my first tiered cake, and I did not really have a plan for frosting them.  So after letting them cool, I slathered on some frosting and pretty much hoped for the best.  

The fun thing about making this cake is that you have no idea if it really turned out until you cut into it in front of all your friends.  In my case, IT WORKED!

  
This was a much more time consuming project than I had realized.  I originally had planned to do it all in one day, but I think it is better to make it a two day project allowing the polka dots to freeze over night and allowing them to thaw for about a half hour before baking them in the cake.  If you have plenty of spare time, feel free to make a trial run cake.  Let me know what adjustments you make and any tips you come up with.  Next up, stained glass cake... this may be a project for the new year.  

A few more favorite pictures from Disney

First Day at the Magic Kingdom

Recreating a little Pintrest Photography

Loving the Carousel 

Morning at the Beach

Awestruck Watching the Characters from Disney Jr.

Enjoying the View, Thanks Grandpa

Teacups are not just for Mad Hatters Anymore

Minnie Love

Family Fun at Epcot

Mickey's Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom

Little Boy Wonder

"Everybody wants to be a cat"

Making Memories

Tree of Life at the Animal Kingdom

Smooch

The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers

Where Dreams Come True!

This face pretty much sums up everything that was our Disney vacation.  W's obsession adoration with Mickey comes as no surprise to anyone that has spent time around us during an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  If ever a child was to be truly star struck, I would have to say it was W when he met Mickey.  He was speechless.  

Perhaps, I am just a more emotional person now that I am a mother, or maybe it was seeing how excited my little man was upon arriving at his mecca, but I had to choke back a few tears when Mickey approached us for the first time.  

The magic did not stop there.  From Halloween decor, characters in costume, rides, parades, and festivities galore, we were on the go from dusk until well past dawn. 

Whether we were lounging at the resort along the riverside or smooshzing with the Princesses it was such a treat to be surrounded by family and all be a part of W's first visit to Disney World.  

There are numerous memories that I will cherish, but two of my favorites happened on our last night.  People were tired and sore.  We all had to get up early the next morning, packed and ready to go, and of course no one was packed yet.  There was still so much to see, yet no one really had the energy to go on.  I was determined to meet all of Mickey's friends before our vacation was over.  Daisy was last on the list.  So after a little coaxing, we all stumbled to Pete's Silly Sideshow to meet Daisy.  The staff, for the first time during our entire vacation, was rude and W was cranky, and then we saw Goofy.  No one was waiting to meet Goofy so W was able to walk right up to him, with his Disney souvenir tour bus in hand.  Without hesitation, Goofy reached out his hand and began to roll the bus back and forth with W.  W lit up like a Christmas tree.  Goofy laid on the ground and continued to play with W for about ten minutes.  It was truly remarkable.  

We headed towards the park exit.  I felt fulfilled.  I really did not think that there would be something to top that moment, and just as we were about to reach the gate, we noticed there was no line to see Mickey.  We made a quick pit stop to say goodbye to Mickey and thank him for a great vacation.  Mickey also noticed the bus that W was carrying around.  W handed Mickey the bus and they rolled it back and forth, just as he had with Goofy.  Everyone waiting to meet Mickey after us "awed," and as the photographer snapped the photo, I could not help but think that this is what magic is all about.  

Because it is not how many trinkets, we cram into our suitcase, nor is it the delicious desserts.  It is not the view of Cinderella's castle while walking down main-street...

But it is being able to see the look on your little boy's face when his dreams come true.